Which Home Buyers Survey should you select?

Homebuyer Report in Totnes

A Homebuyer Report should be selected when you are buying a property made of conventional materials i.e. tile and brick, in reasonable repair and not over 100 years in age.

Building Survey in Totnes

The RICS Building Survey (often referred to as a Full Structural Survey in Totnes) is also conducted by a MRICS/FRICS chartered surveyor and is more thorough. Opt for this for non standard property such as stone wall houses.

Property Valuation Report in Totnes

This is an independent chartered surveyor valuation . This is typically chosen by mortgage free buyers or someone needing a formal valuation e.g. for probate.

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Totnes Surveyors

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Should I choose a HomeBuyer Report, Full Structural Survey or Building Survey for a home in Totnes and which one would be cheaper?

The Full Structural Survey has been updated to a Building Survey, however it is basically the same the same level of survey.

If the Totnes property is a flat, or was built before 1900, or has been structurally modified, or is of non standard construction, you should choose a cheaper HomeBuyer Report.

If you are thinking about whether to do any substantial modifications on the property, RICS advise you choose a Building Survey. This survey is not as cheap but it does give you comprehensive details of the Totnes property's state of repair along with an opinion on defects as well as maintenance options .

For more information why not obtain an instant Totnes Survey Quote or call us 0800 038 6667 to speak to our survey team.

What will the Chartered Surveyor be looking for on a stipple rendered (stucco) house in Totnes that I am thinking of purchasing.

Stucco is just a sort of flat finish render. Normally stucco is layered over brick hardens to form a flat surface, often then trowled to give the appearance of stone blocks. The effect is highly aesthetic and is common on some Victorian and Regency homes. Sometimes it can contain lime (to make it workable) in it in addition to a grid underneath to stop cracks. Stucco is often prone to defect and Totnes Homebuyer Reports commonly show any

number of problems which might include trapped water leading to internal damp problems. Other potential problems may involve sulphate attack from sulphates sucked out of bricks. Fixing problems with stucco can be costly as the skills are getting more difficult to find.

For a HomeBuyer Report on a Totnes residential property, can you give some examples of an amber light rating defects impacting roof coverings?

Issues requiring some attention are labelled condition rating 2, but this may not be urgent. Roof coverings are checked, if these parts of the property are easy to view or easy to access. Exposed roof felt is an example of this.

I am looking for Flemish bond upkeep guidance - can a Totnes property surveyor assist? Is brick more susceptible to the weather?

Brick-constructed homes in Totnes do benefit from many advantages, but they can also indicate several common problems, including erosion and crumbling mortar. An issue of particular concern is rusted ties (this decay can be accelerated by black ash mortar often found in older properties). This expansion of the ties as they rust causes horizontal cracks leading to structural issues. SS Constructions should be able to provide an estimate for repair work. Contact them at Great Pk Rd, Rotherham, S61 3PE or 07857 807184.

Examples of decorative or unusual usage of brick include diapering' (using contrast and varied colours of bricks to enliven a plain surface).

Should I choose a HomeBuyer Report, Full Structural Survey or Building Survey for a home in Totnes and which one would be cheaper?

The Full Structural Survey has been updated to a Building Survey, however it is basically the same the same level of survey.

If the Totnes property is a flat, or was built before 1900, or has been structurally modified, or is of non standard construction, you should choose a cheaper HomeBuyer Report.

If you are thinking about whether to do any substantial modifications on the property, RICS advise you choose a Building Survey. This survey is not as cheap but it does give you comprehensive details of the Totnes property's state of repair along with an opinion on defects as well as maintenance options .

For more information why not obtain an instant Totnes Survey Quote or call us 0800 038 6667 to speak to our survey team.

What will the Chartered Surveyor be looking for on a stipple rendered (stucco) house in Totnes that I am thinking of purchasing.

Stucco is just a sort of flat finish render. Normally stucco is layered over brick hardens to form a flat surface, often then trowled to give the appearance of stone blocks. The effect is highly aesthetic and is common on some Victorian and Regency homes. Sometimes it can contain lime (to make it workable) in it in addition to a grid underneath to stop cracks. Stucco is often prone to defect and Totnes Homebuyer Reports commonly show any

number of problems which might include trapped water leading to internal damp problems. Other potential problems may involve sulphate attack from sulphates sucked out of bricks. Fixing problems with stucco can be costly as the skills are getting more difficult to find.

For a HomeBuyer Report on a Totnes residential property, can you give some examples of an amber light rating defects impacting roof coverings?

Issues requiring some attention are labelled condition rating 2, but this may not be urgent. Roof coverings are checked, if these parts of the property are easy to view or easy to access. Exposed roof felt is an example of this.

I am looking for Flemish bond upkeep guidance - can a Totnes property surveyor assist? Is brick more susceptible to the weather?

Brick-constructed homes in Totnes do benefit from many advantages, but they can also indicate several common problems, including erosion and crumbling mortar. An issue of particular concern is rusted ties (this decay can be accelerated by black ash mortar often found in older properties). This expansion of the ties as they rust causes horizontal cracks leading to structural issues. SS Constructions should be able to provide an estimate for repair work. Contact them at Great Pk Rd, Rotherham, S61 3PE or 07857 807184.

Examples of decorative or unusual usage of brick include diapering' (using contrast and varied colours of bricks to enliven a plain surface).